Peter Dutton may well need to regain some “teal” seats if he is to achieve government, as suggested by Paul Sakkal (“Dutton needs to find teal appeal”, December 28), however he has far bigger issues to overcome if he is to become a realistic PM contender. As Sakkal pinpoints, Dutton is “lacking in likeability and trustworthiness”, reflected in the margin by which he trails Anthony Albanese in the preferred PM stakes. At the same time, the Coalition continues to be dominated by middle-aged white men, is unrepresentative in terms of female MPs, and the current token team fades into insignificance compared to Penny Wong or Tanya Plibersek. Admittedly, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price gained some well-earned prominence and respect during the Voice referendum that now is becoming a distant memory. “Strong policies”, as advised by John Howard may help, although to date Dutton has only been able to showcase a narrowband width of ideas and prejudices far removed from Howard’s “broad church”. Sakkal describes the teal seats as an electoral handicap. Perhaps the greater handicap for the Coalition is Dutton himself and his lack of very capable, articulate female colleagues. Ross Butler, Rodd Point
It seems the Opposition Leader has given up on inner city cafe latte voters and is probably focusing on outer suburbs, where demographics are changing and becoming more religious and, of course, the Coalition’s strong base of regional seats. The Voice referendum confirms that the teals seats showed overwhelming support for the Yes vote and it’d be futile for the Libs to spend their resources on these seats. It is more likely that Labour will rule as a minority government with the support from the Greens and teals. John Howard is more optimistic, but Liberals can’t be for everyone under the leadership of Dutton. Dutton is like Morrison and Abbott in driving a wedge on every issue and that would never be helpful to winning over all voters. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton - compare the pair ...Credit: John Shakespeare
Paul Sakkal announced that Dutton is in a competitive position and then went on to list the reasons why he isn’t. Dutton may not be as disliked as Morrison, but that’s hardly a ringing endorsement. He is yet to offer any real policies or solutions to the current challenges we face. Negativity may appeal to some, but most voters want leaders not bullies. Nineteen months is a long time in politics and you can bet Labor won’t be sitting on its hands. We are likely to be much better off economically by then as well, leaving the Opposition with little to whine about. Labor’s primary vote is higher than when elected, while the Coalition’s primary has dropped, and Albanese is still way ahead of Dutton as preferred PM. Wishful thinking won’t get Dutton over the line. It seems the worst case scenario for Labor is a minority government, but even that would leave Dutton’s leadership hanging by a thread. Perhaps the Libs should consider a change of leadership now to save the furniture. Graham Lum, North Rocks
Sorry, Paul Sakkal, but Peter Dutton will never appeal to the teal voters. The Libs’ only chance of regaining their once secure teal seats is to find a strong female contender for PM, or local candidates who exhibit many of the qualities of the current teals. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
Banks have lost sight of their fundamental purpose
We have had trouble with the banks (Letters, December 28). On the death of my father, we told my mother that she should change the names on her credit card. Mum bravely went into the bank and they promptly cut up the card and told her she was not eligible for one. Mum came home very upset. On hearing this, my eldest daughter took Mum into the bank and walked out with a brand-new card. Later Mum got her revenge. My brother, who has a condition called Fragile X, which prevents him from reading or writing, was required by the bank to go in and sign a document. No explanations worked, he had to front up. So I gave Mum instructions to take Andrew into the bank, introduce him and then go for a coffee. When she came back after Andrew had talked about his favourite subject, trains, the bank people were all over Mum asking her to sign on his behalf. We still laugh about that. Richard Kirby, Campbelltown
Banks need to lift their games generally. Two examples – asked for proof of identity, I logged into Service NSW and showed my driver’s licence (with the annotation “updated that day”) on my phone. Not good enough; we need to see the physical card. But, said I, the licence on the phone is good enough for the police. Not for us. Go home and come back with the plastic one. Second example – person too young to have a driver’s licence, so we show her passport. Not good enough – we need the birth certificate. Physical passport and digital driver licence constitute the 100 points required to prove your identity and are good enough for governments – but not good enough for banks, apparently. Michael McMullan, Avoca Beach
Working out what should be happening for customers.Credit: AFR
These bank stories are all the result of cutting staff to the point that there are too few people with too much to do. Neoliberalism at its finest. Ian Ferrier, Long Jetty
I echo your correspondent’s remarks about his Credit Union. One of the most attractive features is the human element, which is mostly missing from the big banks. In some of life’s most stressful events, such as death of a loved one or selling one’s house, I was able to pick up the phone and engage with an understanding and competent person. Credit unions may not always have the most competitive interest rates, but they make up for that in bucket loads with humanity and compassion. Elizabeth Maher, Fiddletown
The major banks seem to have abandoned their basic role of providing banking services for citizens. Banks should be warned that unless they restore original services where they previously existed, their registration should be removed. Cashed-up superannuation funds are ready to provide banking services. John Donnellan, Berala
Popular pollies keep it simple
I wonder what makes a politician popular (“Wong most popular politician”, December 28)? Looking at the winners of the Resolve poll, there is certainly a range of political parties and viewpoints. Perhaps it is their public profile. Perhaps it is that they are seen to be getting on with the job, or whether we agree with their arguments. Perhaps it is that collectively they best represent the diversity of Australian voters themselves. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Who’s the pick of the bunch?Credit: Marija Ercegovac
Penny Wong’s status as our most popular politician is encouraging news for our multicultural society, as she is a good example of our broad acceptance of all ethnicities. More power to her. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood
A lot of our politicians speak in gobbledygook, a melange of half-truths, non answers, avoidance, disingenuous rhetoric and attack, rather than simply asking/answering the questions in a coherent, transparent, rational and logical manner. Political ideologies aside, the popularity winners generally all exhibit this more coherent approach. The actual leaders recognise this, and it’s why they rarely let them speak and why they are predominantly in the Senate. Tanya Plibersek is the exception and has perhaps been given the environment portfolio to “nobble” her. After all, Environment is the most fraught portfolio as it deals with every part of the national landscape, eg: resources, agriculture, transport, defence, development, tourism and the entire electorate. It’s generally a career death zone for politicians. Despite this, Plibersek is in the top five, and the only non-senator on the list. Bernard Stever, Richmond
The worrying thing for me from this survey (the rest is unsurprising) is that the familiarity scores for Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison are only 98 per cent each. That means that apparently many people don’t know the name of our current and former PMs. You could perhaps understand that many people don’t know the names of state leaders, opposition members or ministers, but to not know who your national leader is seems very strange. Is there a fault in our communications somewhere? David Rush, Lawson
Labor Party supporters are clutching at straws if they think likeability is a criterion for effective leadership, good governance and economic management. Paul Keating was not well liked, except by committed ALP supporters. Yet, he was an effective treasurer, albeit much less so as prime minister. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach
Property beats shares
While I agree with your correspondent (Letters, December 28) that the current capital gains tax arrangements have been a big contributor to the rise in house prices, I feel I must point out that this is John Howard’s doing. When CGT first came in, your asset value rose in line with the CPI each year, which meant that you were taxed on real gains, which is fair. John Howard changed that to the current short holding period to gain a 50 per cent tax discount. With negative gearing, this has fuelled the housing-as-investment boom. I understand it was thought that people would buy shares (remember the encouragement to be a nation of shareholders?), but housing proved more tempting. No one else will help you pay off a loan to buy shares, but tenants do pay part of your costs in property. Sheryl Black, Coffs Harbour
Your correspondent blames historic Labor failings in introducing the capital gains tax “are the main cause of today’s high house prices and rents”. He conveniently omits that since 1996, the Coalition has governed for more than 20 years and the only changes made to CGT during that period made the problem worse. By halving the rate of CGT, thus making capital gains 50 per cent more tax effective than other income, and doubling the first home buyers grant, in a piece of pre-election desperation, they provided the fuel that launched the housing unaffordability bubble for those trying to get into the market, a problem that continues. The only party to attempt to amend the CGT since then has been Labor, which campaigned for an increase in CGT during the 2019 election, only to be swamped by a very successful scare campaign from, you guessed it, the Coalition. Unfortunately, we are probably stuck with the status quo, as any party that tries to enact meaningful reform to reduce tax breaks for those who least need them will be subjected to a barrage of misinformation from the vested interests. The confected scare campaign against proposed changes to Dividend Imputation Credits is a salient case. Denis Minehan, Cooma
Cicada song
As I lie in bed in the mornings now, I am serenaded by the gentler sound of cicadas and not by the deafening cacophony of some years (Letters, December 28). Their sound gently rises and falls like distant waves. They are alive and well here in Yarramalong. Very comforting. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
I haven’t done a head count, but I can assure your correspondent that the cicadas are in fine voice in Green Point. We need to shut our windows and doors so we can hear the TV. Robert Hickey, Green Point
Yoyetta ignita, discovered in 2022, yet another cicada to make your ears ring.Credit: L. Popple
The dampened decibel level of the cicada mating call is apparently due to El Nino and the resulting reduction in rainfall. The circadian rhythm varies over the months, with green grocers replaced by the more exotic black princes so prized in my childhood. By April, a bachelor party has commenced and the princes drum for a forlorn fortnight or so for long-gone females. I eagerly await their return as it is a welcome distraction from my tinnitus. Mike Keene, Stanwell Park
Ongoing crisis
Crowing about national achievements by Claire Coutinho, the UK secretary of state for energy security (“UK emissions halved since 1970s peak”, December 28), in the face of a global challenge is at best puffery, at worst irresponsible. Lest it is too late, think globally, act globally. Maris Bruzgulis, Condell Park
Seasoned advice
Bill Granger (“Simplest formula changed the culture of TV cooking”, December 28) probably listened to his mother when she said (as most mothers do) “don’t play with your food”, and therein lay his success. Rest easy, Bill. Kath Maher, Lidcombe
Bill Granger, we shall never see his like again
Speak out
The ICC forbids Usman Khawaja from writing or using messages of peace on his cricket kit (Letters, December 28) as they are considered political statements. I would suggest every player who doesn’t advocate a message for peace is also making a political statement. John Bailey, Canterbury
A park for a park
A fine will mean nothing to people who illegally clear bush (“Tree vandalism surge demands tougher penalties”, December 28), even if it can be proved they are the culprit. Why not make their street frontage a No Parking zone until the bush is replanted and maintained? Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls
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